Slipcover



SLIPCOVER Lionel C. Lenz, Chicago, Ill. Application February 23, 1954, Serial No. 411,717 6 Claims. (Cl. 155-182) The present invention relates to novel Slipcovers and more particularly to Slipcovers for overstuffed furniture.

As is well known overstufred furniture such as chairs, davenports and the like are made in a variety of shapes and sizes. Slipcovers which are adjustable to tit various pieces of furniture have heretofore been suggested but these covers have often been not entirely satisfactory. For example, some Slipcovers heretofore suggested for covering various sizes and shapes of overstuffed furniture have been relatively complicated and ditiicult to install. It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel Slipcover for overstutfed furniture, which Slipcover is adapted to tit pieces of furniture of various sizes and shapes and is of relatively simple construction so that it may easily be applied to the furniture.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel Slipcover of the above described type for application to the back rests of the overstutfed chairs, davenports and the like, which novel Slipcover is adapted to lit back rests having shoulder portions of various sizes and shapes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel slip cover of the above described type which is neat in appearance and is without seams in forwardly facing portions that might interfere with a person sitting on the furniture or present an unusual and displeasing appearance.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating an overstulfed chair with a slipcover embodying the principles of this invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a Slipcover constructed in accordance with the present invention partially Aapplied to an overstuffed chair;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a slipcover embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the novel Slipcover applied to the chair and partially broken away to illustrate th e structure more clearly;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of Fig. l but with the cover removed from the chair;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional View taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view similar to Fig. 6 in showing certain structural features in greater detail;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a three cushion davenport or sofa having a slipcover embodying the principles of this invention applied to the back rest thereof;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner of applying the Slipcover to the sofa back rest;

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the novel construction from the rear side of the sofa;

Fig. 1l is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View showing certain features in greater detail;

Fig. l2 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 12 but showing the Slipcover removed from the sofa back rest; and

Fig'. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view similar to Fig. 13 and showing certain structural features in greater detail.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings Wherein like parts are designated by identical numerals throughout the various figures, an overstutfed chair 2t) of the type to be covered by the novel Slipcovers of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. l. This chair may be of any standard construction and includes a back rest 22 and arms 24 and 26. A Slipcover 2S embodying the features of this invention is illustrated best in Fig. 3 and is shown completely applied to the chair in Fig. l.

The slipcover 28 includes a section 30 adapted to cover the rear side of the back rest 22 and a panel 32 adapted to cover the front side of the back rest. The section 30 is preferably formed by at least three panels 34, 36 and 33 with adjacent panels being joined along seams 40 and 42. It is understood that these seams will extend along the back side ofthe chair and therefore will not be unsightly or otherwise objectionable. The section 30 and the front panel 32 are joined along a seam 44. This seam is illustrated best in Fig. 7 and includes a cord 46 enclosed by a strip of suitable material 48 with the section 3i), the panel 32 and the strip 48 being stitched together as at S0.

In accordance with the present invention the Slipcover 28 is providedwith panels 52 and 54 for covering the shoulders of the back rest, which panels are adapted to cover various sizes and shapes of shoulders. This is accomplished by connecting the shoulder covering panels 52 and 54 to the remainder of the Slipcover through elastic bands 56 and 60. These elastic bands may be provided by any suitable elastic material. More specifically itis seen by referring in Fig. 3 that the eiastic band S6 is sewn to a portion 62 of the rear margin of panel 52 and also to the seam 40. The band 56 is also sewn to a front marginal portion 64 of the panel 52. The elastic band 60 is similarly sewn to the panel 54 and the seam 42 of the back section 30' and the forward portions of the bands S6 and 60 are sewn to and interconnected by a panel 66. The upper edge of the panel 66 is preferably sewn into the seam 44 as is the upper end of each of the elastic bands. In addition, the width of the panel 66 is substantially equal to the width of the panel 36 and this Width is preferably such that the elastic bands 56 and 60 must be stretched in order to apply the panels 52 and 54 over the shoulders of the chair. With this structure it is seen that the use of the elastic bands in the particular manner set forth enables the panels 52 and 54 to be applied to chair shoulders of various sizes and also to conform closely to shoulders of various shapes.

The shoulder covering panel 52 is formed by a pair of sections joined along a seam 70 and the panel 54 is similarly formed by a pair of sections joined along a seam 72. It should be noted that these seams as well as the above mentioned seams 40, 42 and 44 are positioned toward the rearwardly facing side of the back rest so as not to detract from the appearance of the chair. Furthermore, it should be noted that the seams 70 and 72 are normally in alignment with the seam 44 and appear to be continuations thereof.

In order to apply the seatcover 28 to the back rest loop members74 and 76 are secured to the lower corners of the section 30 and are adapted to be slipped over the rear legs of the chair as shown in Fig. 1. The panels 52 and 54 are then slipped over the shoulders of the back rest as shown in Fig. 2. It should be noted that the lower ends of `the panels 52 and 54 extend substantially below the ends of the elastic bands so that the panels may be easily tucked between the back rest Aand the arms of the chair. The front panel 32 is then positioned over the front surface of the back rest and tucked beneath the seat cushion as shown in Figs. l and 6. It should be noted that the front panel 32 is wide enough to cover the elastic bands completely even when the bands are fully stretched, whereby the elastic bands do not detract from the appearance of the cover. Furthermore, the panel 32 is preferably substantially as wide as the seat cushion and the edges of this panel are bound as at 7d and S0 to similate seams. As shown in Fig. l these bound edges are positioned adjacent opposite sides of the back rest where they present a pleasing appearance and do not interfere with a person sitting in the chair. It is thus seen that the slip cover 28 is of simple construction and may be rapidly and easily applied to the chair.

Another important advantage of the Slipcovers of this invention is that the elastic bands are connected to both front and rear edges of the shoulder covering panels 52 and d to facilitate proper adjustment of these panels over various chair shoulders while at the same time a minimum of elastic material is used for economical construction and unsightly seams in mid-portions of the front panel 32 are avoided. This is the result of connecting the forward portions of the elastic bands by the panel 66 which may be formed of relatively inexpensive material.

ln Figs. 8 through 14 there is illustrated a slipcover 82 embodyingy the principles of this invention and especially adapted for a davenport or sofa 83 having at least three cushions. The slipcover 82 is essentially the same as the cover 28 and includes a rear section 84 substantially identical to the above described rear section 30 and a front section 86 having panels 88, 90 and 92 corresponding to the above described panel 32. Each of the panels 8S, 9i) and 92 is substantially as wide as one of the cushions of the davenport so that corded seams 94 and 96 joining these panels are disposed between the cushions in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8. The slipcover 82 also includes shoulder covering panels 9S and 100 which may be constructed from a plurality of sections in the same manner as the above described panels 52 and 54 and these shoulder covering panels are adjustably connected with the remainder of the slipcover by means of elastic bands 102 and 104. In this embodiment the above described connecting panel 66 extending between the two elastic bands has been replaced by a pair of relatively short panels 166 and 108 in order to conserve material.

One edge of the panel 106 is sewn to the elastic band l 102 and the opposite edge is stitched to the seam 94. The panel 168 is similarly connected between the band 194 and the seam 96. The slipcover illustrated in Figs. 8 through 14 is applied to the sofa substantially in the same manner as the cover 28 is applied to the chair and it will be appreciated that the sofa cover 82 provides all of the advantages of the cover 23. This is true even though the cover 82 includes the forwardly facing seams 94 and 96 since such seams are normally provided in sofa slipcovers for decorative purposes and it should be noted that the seams in the front section of the slip cover 82 are disposed at the edges of each cushion so that the midportions of each cushion covering panel are free of visible seams.

From the above description it is seen that the present invention has provided a novel slipcover which is of relatively simple and economical costruction and which may be easily applied to the furniture. More specifically it is seen that the present invention has provided a novel slipcover which is adjustable to fit furniture of various Lll) 4 sizes and shapes and which is constructed so that there are no unsightly or uncomfortable seams in the portion of the cover overlying the front of the back rest.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein it is obvious that many details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. A slipcover for furniture having a back rest, comprising a back section adapted to cover a rearwardly facing surface of said back rest, a f-ront section connected to said back section and adapted to cover a forwardly facing surface of said back rest, a pair of shoulder covering panels for covering the shoulders of said back rest, cach of said shoulder covering panels having rear and forward marginal vedges respectively adapted to overlie rearwardly and forwardly facing surfaces of said back rest, a pair of vertically disposed elastic bands, each of said elastic bands having one margin connected to rear and forward marginal edges of one of said shoulder covering panels and a second margin having a rear portion interconnected with said back section, said second mentioned margins of said elastic bands including front portions for overlying forwardly facing surfaces of said back rest, and panel means in addition to said front section interconnecting said front marginal portions of said elastic bands, whereby said shoulder covering panels are adjustable to fit shoulders of various sizes and shapes.

2. A slipcover, as defined in claim l, wherein said last mentioned panel means is separate from said front section and extends directly between said front marginal portions of the elastic bands.

3. A slipcover as defined in claim l wherein said last mentioned panel means includes said front section and a pair of panel members, each of said panel members having one edge secured to said front marginal portion of one of said elastic bands and an opposite edge secured to a seam in said front section, said seam in said front section being disposed for substantial alignment with an edge of a seat cushion of the furniture.

4. A slipcover as defined in claim l wherein each of said shoulder covering panels includes a portion extending downwardly below said elastic bands, which portions are adapted to be inserted between the back rest and arms of the furniture.

5. A slipcover for furniture having a back rest, comprising a back section adapted to cover a rearwardly facing surface of said back rest, a front section connected to said back section and adapted to cover a forwardly facing surface of said back rest, a pair of shoulder covering panels for covering the shoulders of said back rest, each of said shoulder covering panels having rear and forward marginal edges respectively adapted to overlie rearwardly and forwardly facing surfaces of said back rest, a pair of vertically disposed elastic bands, each of said elastic bands having one margin connected to said rear and forward marginal edges of one of said shoulder covering panels and a second margin having rear and forward portions adapted to overlie rearwardly and forwardly facing surfaces of the back rest. each of said elastic bands having one of said last mentioned margin portions interconnected with one of said sections and the other of said last mentioned margin portions operatively connected with an opposite margin portion of the other elastic band, whereby said shoulder covering panels are adjustable to fit shoulders of various sizes and shapes, and said front section being substantially as wide as a seat cushion of the furniture and completely covering both of said elastic bands.

6. A slipcover for furniture having a back rest, comprising a back section adapted to cover a rearwardly facing surface of said back rest, a front section connected to said back section and adapted to cover a forwardly facing surface of said back rest, a pair of shoulder covering panels for covering the shoulders of said back rest, each of said shoulder covering panels having rear and forward marginal edges respectively adapted to Overlie rearwardly and forwardly facing surfaces of said back rest, and `a pair of vertically disposed elastic bands, each of said elastic ybands having one margin connected to rear and forward margins of one of said shoulder covering panels and a second margin interconnected with one of said sections, whereby said shoulder covering panels are adjustable to t shoulders of various lsizes and shapes, said back section including a plurality of panels joined together `by vertical seams, each of said elastic bands having a marginal portion connected to one of said seams, and

said front section including a one-piece panel substantially `as wide as a seat cushion of the furniture.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,820,104 Whaley Aug. 25, 1931 1,970,820 Schoellkopf Aug. 21, 1934 2,123,667 Trubitz July 12, 1938 2,179,805 Trubitz Nov. 14, 1939 2,266,505 McCormick Dec. 16, 1941 2,411,915 Waranch Dec. 3, 1946 2,588,940 Slosberg Mar. 11, 1952 

